The Revenant

A rare theatrical release, I was given the choice to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens or The Revenant and I chose The Revenant, must be age.  Can I blame age for the fact that I also chose a bottle of water and raisins for snack?  Okay, they were chocolate covered raisins, but still … ... Anyway, so, The Revenant, a survival/revenge movie.  This was a good movie with some very difficult scenes to watch. the actual bear attack was brutal, but there's another scene that I felt was worse, it had me half covering my eyes, I won't spoil that.  This movie's been nominated for a number of awards, and while I appreciate the movie for its entertainment value, it didn’t’ make me “feel” anything.  Movies that leave me thinking for days are the ones I ultimately view as “the best”, I’ll be surprised if this takes home best picture.  I think Tom Hardy could win best supporting actor, he was great, but I think Leo will get snubbed again this year unless there's a "best grunting" category now.  I’d still recommend The Revenant as it’s much better than most of the repetitive crap out there, it’s just not AAA.   

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

My movie selection is all over the place.  I was priding myself on my selection of Oscar Nom’s and then I decided to watch this.  I was called a TMNT “fan” recently, well, I’m not so much a fan, as I am amused.  To be fanatical about something, I might say, own a t-shirt, collect figures, have a poster, that type of behavior.  I was a little too old for the Turtles in their peak, but I watched a lot of the animated series in the late 80’s and early 90’s as the kids my mom babysat loved them.  Have to say I grew to appreciate them.  I liked the 1990 movie, but failed to see any of the sequels (see, not a fan) and when this showed up on Netflix, after a 12 hour work day, I was ready for some mindless entertainment.  Let’s just say I didn’t hate it.  I didn’t love it, I found the Turtles to look a little creepy, Splinter was just gross, but the film was entertaining in bursts.  It took a little too long for the action to get started, but all in all, I’d have to say it was worth my time (100 minutes).  Do I recommend it?  Not unless there’s some nostalgia there.  I will say this was probably the most I’ve enjoyed of a Will Arnett role since Arrested Development, even if I did think his crush on Megan Fox was bordering inappropriate given their age, but that just might be the dad in me speaking.  Cowabunga!

I prefer the 90's Turtles

Still Alice

A nice movie the wife and I could watch together, that’s what I thought going in.  What a sad affair, and far from your typical “Friday Night Movie”.  Julianne Moore was nominated for “Best Actress” for her role in this film and deservedly so.  A compelling journey of someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Borderline scary and has you second guessing yourself and your own memory lapses.  Sad, just sad, but yet, recommend. 

Back In Time

I’ve had this on “My List” on Netflix for some time and finally caught it this past week.  Should have been titled “Waste of Time”.  Wow, they lined up just about everyone you’d ever want associated to a documentary on “Back to the Future” but instead of some in depth stories from the set, concepts, deleted scenes etc. it was filled with fan appreciated that actually had me embarrassed for liking this movie.  This movie is cringe-worthy.  Pass.

Making a Murderer

Perhaps a victim of hype, I went into this series with unimaginable anticipation, the disappointment started from episode 1 where I found myself not particularly rooting for our central character.   Stereotypes aside, this was still considered a grand injustice, and so, my wife and I stuck with it for 10 episodes.  The series definitely picks up, but is far from “edge of your seat” stuff, this is more … lean back and roll your eyes type stuff.  Without spoiling things, there does appear some poor police work and delinquency here, especially when it comes to Brendan Dassey, Steven’s apparent accomplice.  Lots of conspiracy theories have arisen, and that I find even more entertaining than the series itself.  If you watch, remember this, Netflix is in the business of providing compelling entertainment, not public service.   I’m not saying they’re wrong, just consider your source.  I’m not entirely convinced he’s not guilty, but on a jury would never be able to convict him or Brendan.  Recommend.

Selma

Ignorance is bliss.  I say it often when overwhelmed by matters that I feel are greater than I am capable of changing.  Sounds pathetic, and in ways it is, yet it's merely a coping mechanism.  Not everyone is Martin Luther King, not everyone is capable of making great strides in change.  What I am capable of is being an example to those around me, speaking up when I feel the need, and moved to do so.  This is what I do, it's how I live my life.  I do not know a lot about the civil rights movement, so Selma was a history lesson for me more than any form of "entertainment".  I'm sure I would have enjoyed the movie more had I had more context, or knew about the subject matter.  As a movie on it's own, it was informative, thought provoking, and as white man, embarrassing. Do I recommend it on it's own merit's as a film?  No.  Do I recommend it as a vehicle to learn and know more about the issue, about history, about civil rights?  Absolutely. 

Grand Budapest Hotel

Continuing my plan to watch all last year’s Oscar Nom’s for Best Picture (available on Netflix anyways) I caught “Grand Budapest Hotel” today.  Probably the least anticipated on the list, but the runtime at 99 minutes fit the bill between night shifts.  Labeled a comedy, I far from found it “funny”, but did find it rather intriguing.  A few smiles were cracked, but no LOL’s were had, the story was interesting and compared to most comedies this day, I would have to say I’d prefer this type of comedy over the shock-humour that every other comedy goes for.  A pleasant way to spend an hour and a half, it’s not for everyone, and wouldn’t make it on any of my “best of” lists, but not bad enough that I think you should skip, so with that, recommend.

Birdman

Best Picture, oh Best Picture, you never let me down.  I scan the Oscar winners every year and come back saying “Never even HEARD of it” so often, then, after a viewing, almost always say "That was really good”.  Some Examples: The Artist,  The Hurt Locker, The King’s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, Million Dollar Baby, and A Beautiful Mind.  Last year’s winner “Birdman” was no exception to this trend.   After seeing some trailers and whatnot, I was intrigued, then it fell off my radar.  Then Netflix had it streaming, I put it on “My List” and away it went again.  Finally, while I take a break from TV shows on Netflix, I decided to give this a try.  What a phenomenal movie.  I absolutely loved it.  I typically enjoy non main-stream films, I’m not bragging about it, but I prefer a good drama to the latest “shoot-em-up”.  I’m the complete opposite when it comes to video games.  Games I want less story, more action, but that’s probably because most game stories are just plain bad.  So while I’d take “Ted Who Lives at Home” over “The Avengers” , I’d much prefer “Call of Duty” to “The Witcher”.   Birdman strengthens my stance on this idea.  It has nothing to do with videogames, but everything to do with “meaningful” subject matter in film or on stage.  A man plagued by his history of doing big budget superhero movies trying to break free from personal demons and a history that haunts him.  Each cast member is fighting their own battle, and the movie just emphasises how self centered we all are.  Great acting, amazing cast and concept.  While I would have preferred a more definitive ending, I can’t help but give this my highest recommendation.

Taken 2

I loved the first “Taken”, so was naturally a little disappointed when I’d heard mediocre things about the sequel.  3 years later I finally gave in and watched this via Netflix, and while the action sequences were pretty good, there’s a lot to be desired with the rest of the plot. Baby girl is all growed up which makes it difficult to view her as a child trying to get her drivers licence.  Please, what is she?  30?  And kissing her first boy…aww… barf.  Then when Liam Neeson squares up with that guy in a makeshift wrestling ring…please.  I did like the final encounter with the main villain, until he killed him by poking him in the eye.  Wow.  Pass.

Indie Game The Movie

Fantastic documentary, that despite all of these games being successful, made me feel a little sad when it was over.  This is a story of 3 indie developers (one duo) and what they went through in developing their game.  Each developer is very likeable and very different in persona.  The movie gave me a lot more respect for indie developers and what they go to get their product out … but when it’s out, it seems like that’s where the actual “pain” starts.  It’s beautifully shot and produced.  I’d recommend it to gamers and non-gamers alike.